🔗 Share this article

Precisely as Ruben Amorim probably assumed his luck wasn't changing, his side managed to inflict Crystal Palace's opening Selhurst Park setback in league competition since February.

The Palace manager's team dominated early and deservedly took the lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta's retaken penalty. But they could not to capitalize on their control following earlier difficulties to find the net at Selhurst, Amorim's team countered two times in quick succession via Joshua Zirkzee plus the former Chelsea player.

Difficult Encounter against Palace

It was a frustrating day concluding after multiple matches for the Palace boss, who saw his winger limp off with a concerning injury in the first period.

The United manager likely maintained his reactions subdued when proceeding off the pitch immediately after the game's end.

Tactical Adjustments

Amorim had played down similarities regarding his and Glasner's game philosophy ahead of the match, while admitting that the opposition "are just doing things better than us|aspects superior to ours|elements more effectively".

The answer to the lacklustre defeat against 10-man Everton meant modifying the wide defenders, featuring the Ivorian shifting to the right side as Diogo Dalot took over from Dorgu.

Initial Chances

The visitors likely felt an opportunity to profit considering they enjoyed extra rest days and came close to leading inside the opening minute.

An extended delivery generated disorder in the home penalty box yet remarkably the ex-United shot-stopper produced a point-blank save at his goal line to deny Casemiro.

Palace's Dominance

The narrow escape functioned as a warning for Glasner's men after the early kick-off which was determined for broadcast purposes.

Quickly opportunities began to come frequently. Subsequent to squandered multiple opportunities during European action, it looked could potentially not become the Frenchman's match when he twice dragged shots wide of the target during the first quarter.

Opening Goal

But in a week during discussions about the forward's renewal have stalled, Mateta stepped up who found the breakthrough.

A further accurate delivery by the midfielder drew the defender into making contact and, having just made superb interception to prevent the Spaniard, the young defender was forced to foul Mateta within the 18-yard area.

Second Half Turnaround

Henderson re-emerged with head protection to block the sun from the setting sun however he'll experience frustration to have allowed United to level the score following halftime.

Palace were caught napping from a rapid Fernandes set-piece enabling the Dutchman to control with his chest and pivot in one motion to generate a strike that found the top corner.

Match-Winning Strike

Having survived a goalmouth scramble when the Dutchman nearly netted again at the wrong end, their afternoon got even better shortly afterward while Zirkzee was brought down near the 18-yard line by the English center-back.

A brief pause occurred in the defensive wall as the captain passed the set-piece toward Mount and that allowed him to defeat the goalkeeper using a fierce strike.

Vital Win

Without Sarr's pace to utilize, the home team struggled to create additional opportunities allowing Amorim's team to see out a crucial victory that means United move above Palace into sixth place.